BBYW Vol. 4 Interlude 5 (WN)
The Empire’s Red Rose 5
【POV: Raine Halphas】
(S-She just wanted to take a bath together…? Can it be…?)
I went through all possible scenarios in my head, observing Empress Rossellia — as much as courtesy allowed me to.
Her long hair was wrapped in a towel. Her perfectly sculpted physique was submerged in the hot water. An ample, plump bosom. Long, slender legs. Divine craft in human form.
The heavenly curves of the Empress were currently modified by her pregnancy, but even her large stomach emitted a certain glow, much like the holy mother of a divine child. I felt as if I was witnessing a scene from mythology.
“My stomach has grown quite pronounced, hasn’t it.”
“M-My apologies, I…!!”
The Empress noticed my gaze and turned towards me. I flinched and apologized immediately.
“It’s fine, do not worry. I am sure you too are wondering who the father is.”
“Oh, no, I…”
“You do not need to hide it. I am well aware that everyone is curious…so. Who do you think is the father of this child?”
“Eh..eeh…!?”
The question was asked like a quiz: I couldn’t hide my confusion.
“Your Majesty, I could never pry in such…the father of Your child…!!”
“Oh, do not be so tense. Think of it like a little game. Regardless of whether you guess correctly or not, you will not be held in contempt. Please, let me know your honest opinion.”
“Ouh…”
Even if it was meant as a game, it was still an order from the Empress. How could I go against it?
I took a deep breath, then reflected on the identity of the heir’s father.
Who could have impregnated the Empress? All sorts of rumors could be heard in the capital. Some sounded realistic, others belonged completely to the realm of fantasy. I examined them all, one by one.
(Her Majesty is clearly hiding the father’s identity. It would imply that his social standing is not sufficient as an imperial consort. It would be interesting if he was a knight or functionary of low rank…but there would be too many candidates, would she ask it like this then?)
Since she asked it in a quizzical fashion, she surely expected a clear answer. It couldn’t be someone too difficult to name, I thought.
(Which leads to…the problem not being the man’s standing, but his position. Someone not allowed to stand at the Empress’ side…)
The next candidate to surface in my mind was the one mentioned in the vilest rumors.
Incest…the father was one of the Empress’ three brothers, or even her biological father, the former Emperor.
(Leave it to the rabble and rumor-loving nobles to come up with something like this…but it can’t be the truth.)
Her Majesty was looking at me with delight, eager to hear my reply. There was no distress in her expression.
If the father had already left this world, she wouldn’t look this excited either…
(The father must still be alive. Furthermore, he likely did not impregnate Her Majesty against her will…it’s someone she loves with all her heart. Hmm…no good, I don’t have enough to go on…could there be a hint somewhere…?)
I soaked in the hot water up to my shoulders and looked around the tub, for no particular reason.
Reserved for the imperial family, the bathtub was carved in marble and presented intricate decorations here and there.
In the bathroom there was only me, Her Majesty and the maids at her service.
They were among her most loyal retainers, serving the Empress since her childhood. They probably already knew the answer: All of them were looking at me with amused excitement.
“Hm…?”
Just then, something caught my attention.
Among the maids around the tub…someone was missing. Someone who was supposed to be there.
“Ah…”
When I fully realized it, it felt like being struck by lightning.
The answer I had come up with…was simply unthinkable. So incredible, that it hadn’t even become a rumor in the capital.
“It seems like you have reached a conclusion. Do let me know, please.”
“Ah…no…”
I wasn’t sure I could really say it…but there was no way to escape Empress Rossellia’s curious gaze. I had to speak.
“The father of Your Majesty’s child is…could it be Dyngir Maxwell?”